The Outwaters (2023)
The moment the recent horror sensation Skinamarink ended, my first thought was, “more please.” GIve me the abstract fever dream approach to where I can’t even definitively say what happened or what it all means. Somehow that makes it linger more, giving me a lot to think about and analyze. Experimental films somehow reach me in a way that very few narratively-driven stories do.
Now we have another surreal experience (at least when it does arrive around the one hour mark) that I won’t likely shake any time soon. The Outwaters is a wholly unique and twisted take on the found footage genre that for the most part, has become tiresome. Around the time I first saw Lake Mungo, I immediately said, “alright I wanna leave this genre on a high note.” But of course horror filmmakers want to provide their own spin and twist in hopes of capturing the magic of something like The Blair Witch Project.
Though not quite on the same level as Skinamarink for me, The Outwaters still disturbed and enveloped me in its madness despite some initial frustration with how long it took to get there. Rather than the grainy, lo-fi approach of Skinamarink that not only scared me but played into childhood fears and nightmares, The Outwaters is more environmental horror - this time it takes place in the desert.
We witness the events unfold as a result of various memory cards found by the police. The opening scene proves something did go horribly awry when you hear a recording of a 911 call with demonic, distorted voices begging for help. The film then cuts to the past - centering around a group of friends who happen to be industry professionals in the arts. At the center is Robbie Zagorac (writer/director Robbie Banfitch) and his brother Scott (Scott Schamell). Robbie and his brother are gearing up for an adventure in the Mojave Desert. They are all planning to shoot a music video for musician friend Michelle (Michelle May), and they are bringing along Angela (Angela Basolis), an expert in make-up to assist.
That’s the setup and after we experience their initial joy of discovery of being in the middle of nowhere, what happens right after could be described as Gerry on acid. Banfitch tapped into something special despite it running longer than it should. There’s a real turning point when Robbie unzips the tent they’re staying in to reveal that his “head is raining.” From that point forward, you could make the argument he is slowly dying and experiencing some sort of otherworldly hallucination on his way to hell. You’re often confused, but in a good way.
As much as this visceral experience is effective and terrifying for most of its running time, there is a test of patience throughout you should prepare for. It is definitely a slow build to the horror and then after that, before we get to the last act, there is a lot of running, wandering and a lack of clarity as to what is actually happening. At one point we do see some kind of wormy snake creature that probably shouldn’t be in a desert but even that isn’t clear. Could it be alien worms? Did Robbie just lure some kind of monstrous entity to attack everyone? One of the key moments that perked me up is when he seems to be trapped inside his mind - resembling some kind of fun-house flashback.
Moments like these are reason enough to recommend it for the adventurous horror fan that doesn’t mind not having everything explained in a cohesive manner. The very end is stunning to say the least but there is no denying some sporadic restlessness in wanting to know what is being shown. Often the cinematography is one lone flashlight / penlight shining on something random (most of the time it’s some part of a bloody face / body). The sound design is what drew me in especially early on when we hear some explosive thunder-like booms and bangs. And some running sequences are filmed upside down for a dizzying perspective.
Once we see a figure in the distance and Robbie changes, so does the film and it becomes true horror on a level I haven’t seen in quite awhile. That being said, it is not a fun, pleasant ride to where I would want to put myself through it ever again. It’s more of a cosmic rollercoaster that can be exhausting, but maybe that’s the intent. Not that it grossed me out severely, but the choice to really make it abstract as to what’s occurring can become frustrating as you’re watching in anticipation for some kind of clarity. You’re not getting answers and the victims don’t provide a whole of insight into what’s taking place. This film doesn’t give you a clear resolution nor should it either. It plays like a dream you can’t wait to wake up from and for that reason alone, The Outwaters deserves to be recognized for its vicious, H.P Lovecraft-like descent into sheer madness.
The Outwaters opens in theaters today. Following its theatrical run, there are plans to release the film exclusively on the horror streaming service SCREAMBOX .
